Double-sided storage unit, the &#34;peepfeeder&#34;

ABSTRACT

A rectangular shaped two sided storage container comprised of the storage areas ( 18 ) and ( 19 ), the primary lid ( 2 ) of which contains the uniquely functional rigid acrylic plastic refuse door ( 9 ) and the rigid acrylic plastic dispenser chute ( 5 ) both of which lead to their respective storage areas. The entire container is made of rigid and semirigid plastics both materials safely intended for use in contact with food in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration. The secondary lid ( 20 ) is composed of the same above mentioned plastic.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] The invention is a small two compartment plastic container used to dispense edible shelled seeds with a refuse storage area to hold empty shells for later disposal.

[0003] 2. Background of the Invention

[0004] Consumers have enjoyed shelled seeds and nuts for many years. The seeds and nuts are most commonly sold to consumers loose or bagged. Seeds and nuts are eaten in many places at home, work, in the car, on a bus, at school, etc. The most common complaint is how an individual tends to dispose of the shells while eating the seeds or nuts. Small plastic or paper bags are common uses in transporting seeds and disposal of shells. I have searched for prior art and have not found anything similar to this proposed invention. I have searched stores and have not found any product similar to this idea, no prior art is available. Small paper and plastic bags are not sturdy enough to hold seeds and nuts or their empty shells over days and weeks of being refilled. A simple storage container is not sufficient, anything could be used to carry seeds and nuts, the main issue is the disposal of the empty shells. I know of individuals who do not eat shelled sunflower seeds because the shells end op all over the place. Empty shells are found on floors everywhere, recently I found a pile of shells in a drawer at my place of employment.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0005] The “PEEPFEEDER” is a much needed invention to help keep our surroundings free of loose shells in a sanitary and stylish manner. The invention is made primarily of the plastic approved by the Food and Drug Administration for storing food, modified rigid and semirigid acrylic plastic. The invention is designed to be used for personal use, as the refuse compartment can receive empty shells directly from the users mouth. The container has two compartments, one side is for storing seeds and nuts, the other side holds the empty shells for later disposal. To use the “PEEPFEEDER” the primary lid is removed from the storage body. The front side is filled with seeds or small nuts. The lid is then placed on top of the storage area and secured in place. The side of the lid with the chute-like dispenser is placed over the compartment which contains the seeds or small nuts. Professional and beginner shelled sunflower seed eaters use the pushbutton device to the left of the chute the chute will open, seeds are poured into your mouth, release the pushbutton, the door closes. The “PEEPFEEDER” is turned to the back, or opposite side, the pushbutton on the left of the refuse door is then used to open the door and empty shells are deposited inside directly from the mouth.

SUMMARY

[0006] An innovative container for storage and temporary disposal of edible seeds and nuts for personal use.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

[0007]FIG. 1 shows what will be known as the front of the product which has a rigid acrylic plastic chute dispenser operated by a pushbutton device.

[0008]FIG. 2 shows what will be known as the back of the product which has a rigid acrylic plastic refuse compartment door operated by a pushbutton device.

[0009]FIG. 3 shows side view of product that of which is identical for both sides of the product.

[0010]FIG. 4 shows internal side view of product.

[0011]FIG. 5 shows internal view of primary lid from the rear perspective of product.

[0012]FIG. 6 shows internal view from the rear perspective of product.

[0013]FIG. 7 shows internal sky view of primary lid.

[0014]FIG. 8 shows device used to connect primary lid to storage base of product.

[0015]FIGS. 9A and 9B show secondary lid for product storage base.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0016]1 double-sided storage area

[0017]2 primary lid

[0018]3 pushbutton

[0019]4 small rack for optional strap

[0020]5 dispenser chute

[0021]6 aluminum springs for chute

[0022]7 point of connection of lid and storage area

[0023]8 aluminum spring for refuse door

[0024]9 refuse compartment door

[0025]10 rigid acrylic plastic rod

[0026]11 empty space

[0027]12 curved rigid acrylic plastic rod

[0028]13 rigid acrylic plastic partition

[0029]14 rigid acrylic plastic eyelet

[0030]15 chute sides

[0031]16 external miniature plastic slats

[0032]17 internal miniature plastic slats

[0033]18 storage compartment for edible product

[0034]19 storage compartment for refuse

[0035]20 semi-rigid acrylic plastic secondary lid face

[0036]21 grooved edges

[0037]22 creased midsection

DETAILED DRAWINGS AND OPERATION

[0038] FIGS.—FIG. 1

[0039] The invention illustrated in FIG. 1 is from a frontal perspective of the product. The storage area 1 is approximately 84 mm in height, 84 mm in length, and 42 mm in width. A small rack for an optional strap to be worn around the neck 4 is located on either side of the storage area located approximately 15 mm down from the storage area rim. The primary lid body 2 houses the pushbuttons 3 located on either side of the lid. The aluminum springs 6A and 6B enable the chute to be pushed open and to close in a retractable fashion. The storage area and the primary lid connect at point 7. The lid has the same approximate length and width as the storage compartment, the height, however, is approximately 35 mm from the bottom to the highest point of the dome-shaped top.

[0040]FIG. 2

[0041] The invention illustrated in FIG. 2 is from a rear perspective of the product. The storage area dimensions are the same as in FIG. 1 . The pushbutton to the left of the refuse compartment door 9 operates the opening of the door. The aluminum spring 8 enables the door to open inward and to close in a retractable fashion when pushbutton is released.

[0042]FIG. 3

[0043] The side of the product is approximately 42 mm wide and 112 mm in height. The storage area 1 is connected at point 7 to the primary lid 2. The small rack is designed to accommodate the loose ends of the users strap of choice, to be worn around the neck. The pushbutton 3 device and the embodiment of FIG. 3 mirrors the opposite side of the product. The storage area, the primary lid , and the slot strap will consist primarily of semirigid acrylic plastic. The pushbutton will consist primarily of rigid acrylic plastic.

[0044]FIG. 4

[0045] This figure shows the inside of the product while in operation. It shows the storage area and the primary lid at an internal view. This view shows the partition 13 which is located the entire length of the lid and the storage area are positioned at the exact center of lid and storage area respectively. The two parts are connected together at point 7. The partition, made of rigid acrylic plastic, creates two separate sections. The storage area for edible seeds or nuts 18 being filled by the user with edible product before the primary lid is secured may then be dispensed through the chute 5 by using the pushbutton 3 having a rigid acrylic plastic rod 10 connected from the pushbutton to the underside of the chute side 15, the side is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 7. The pushbutton is released after use and the spring 6 retracts, closing the chute. The refuse storage section 19 is ready to receive refuse by using respective pushbutton for the door 9. A curved plastic rod 12 is secured to the door through an eyelet 14. The angle of the curved rod opens the door inward to receive refuse. Pushbutton is released, spring 8 retracts and closes the door.

[0046]FIG. 5

[0047] The unique design of the primary lid is revealed in FIG. 5 from the perspective of the dispenser side. A rigid plastic rod 10 is connected to one side of the chute 5. The pushbutton device which operates the chute 3B is pushed into the empty space in the partition 11 the chute is forced open. The L-shaped ends of springs 6A and 6B are embedded in both the body of the chute and the body of the storage area simultaneously. The lid body is not shown in this internal view.

[0048]FIG. 6

[0049] The refuse storage area door is operated by pressing the pushbutton 3A into the empty space in the partition, this action in turn drives the rigid acrylic plastic rod 12 through the eyelet 14 opening inward on the spring 8. The door will close when the pushbutton is released causing the spring to retract on itself.

[0050]FIG. 7

[0051] The primary lid has two sides which serve two distinctly different purposes. This diagram is an internal sky view of the primary lid. The curved rigid acrylic plastic rod 12 is connected to rigid acrylic pushbutton 3A. The rod is curved through the eyelet 14 and ends in rounded tip. The spring 8 connects the door to the body of the primary lid. The rigid acrylic plastic partition 13 extends from the top to the bottom of the lid. The rigid acrylic plastic rod 10 is connected to pushbutton 3B. The rod extends to the underside of chute side 15B. The chute sides 15A and 15B are connected to the chute door 5 to form the chute type dispenser. The springs 6A and 6B connect to the body of the primary lid and the chute door.

[0052]FIG. 8

[0053] This figure specifically shows how the primary lid will be connected to the storage area 1 by the miniature plastic slats 16 affixed along the edges of the outside of the primary lid. The slats are approximately 2 mm in height 8 mm in length and 3 mm in width. For maximum holding power there will be 2 slats on each side, 3 slats in the front and 3 slats on the backside, all slats will be approximately 3 mm up from the bottom of the primary lid. Each slat is approximately 20 mm apart. The dimensions on the slats of the storage area will be approximately the same as those on the lid. The slats on the storage area will be located on the inside 17 of the storage area 1. The slats on the storage area will need to be approximately 4 mm down from the top of the storage area.

[0054]FIGS. 9A and 9B

[0055] The secondary lid shown in FIG. 9A is for the storage area. It is a simple design of semirigid acrylic plastic approximately 84 mm long 42 mm wide and 1 mm thick. The grooved edges are approximately 2 mm thick 21 on all 4 sides, the midsection is a permanent crease 22 that will align with the partition of the storage area when placed on it. The crease allows the user to lift the lid and have only one section of the storage area exposed at one time. FIG. 9B is a side view of said lid in operation solo.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0056] The invention is named the “PEEPFEEDER” because it involves the consumption of shelled sunflower seeds, mainly and I see the invention as a bird feeder for people or “peeps”, a slang word for people. The dimensions for every part were not given, most of the drawings were drawn to scale. The dimensions of the features of the invention are for an adult sized item. There are several advantages to the manufacturing of this product in that,

[0057] it can be made in at least two different sizes.

[0058] the invention is made of recycled materials.

[0059] the initial manufactured units will be of a frosted white variety, other colors can be made later.

[0060] the invention has a slat for a strap but a strap may not necessarily be included with the purchase of the product.

[0061] the design and the materials used to make the make the product will be durable.

[0062] The background, descriptions of the invention and the advantages of the invention should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. The finished product may require slight improvements to ensure the product is functional. For example, semirigid materials replaced with rigid, the slats on either the primary lid or the storage base may be replaced with slots for a more secure closure, etc. 

I claim:
 1. A two part, two section acrylic plastic storage container with two operational devices contained within, with an additional separate attachment.
 2. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the body is comprised of a rectangular box shape with a divider in the middle, the box of which is separated in two distinctive parts.
 3. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the said body is composed of both rigid and semirigid acrylic plastic, several small pieces of aluminum are also required in its structure.
 4. The storage container of claim 1 wherein either side of the storage body has a recessed area with a small plastic rack attached horizontally on the outer portion of the recessed area.
 5. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the primary lid consists of two separate distinctive rectangular shaped, rigid acrylic plastic doors giving access to the storage areas contained within.
 6. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the doors in claim 5 are attached to the primary lid with aluminum springs whose straight ends are embedded in said body.
 7. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the doors in claim 5 are operated by rigid acrylic pushbutton devices.
 8. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the pushbutton devices have rigid acrylic plastic rods attached to said doors to open them.
 9. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the primary lid is of a dome shaped structure.
 10. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the said attachment is a secondary lid composed of semirigid acrylic plastic. 